Cellular automaton modelling of surface discharge dynamics for EMC problems

Abstract

Surface charge distribution on aircraft windshields and front head shields of missiles is highly inhomogeneous and it may cause creeping discharge appearance. The discharge produces strong electromagnetic emission, which get into the bodies through apertures. A fractal model based on a cellular automaton network reproducing the dynamics of surface electrical charge distribution is proposed. The model allows us to obtain both integrated characteristics of the discharge and its local properties. The latter is of extremely importance for EMC applications.